UFC 319: Spectacular KOs Save Card, Dominant Chimaev

UFC 319: Complete Analysis of a Night of Epic KOs and Dominance in the Octagon

The UFC’s return to Chicago on Saturday was marked by a card full of excitement, with the highly anticipated middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis as the main event. In addition, the night promised with the presence of outstanding strikers such as Michael “Venom” Page, Carlos Prates and Kai Asakura, along with the debut of former Bellator MMA fighter, Aaron Pico. Did it live up to expectations? In Alofoke Deportes, we bring you a detailed analysis of each fight.

Peso Pluma: Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico

Result: Murphy defeats Pico by KO in the first round
Rating: A

What’s better than a spinning back elbow knockout? Two! Murphy starred in a move that could be the knockout of the year. Despite intense pressure from Pico, who connected with brutal body shots, Murphy stood firm, chose the perfect moment, and annihilated Pico with an elbow. With this victory, Murphy positions himself as a heavyweight contender in the category.

Welterweight: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates

Result: Prates defeats Neal by KO in the first round
Rating: A- After his first defeat to Ian Machado Garry, Prates reminded everyone why he is one of the most fluid and devastating strikers in the UFC. Prates was poetry in its maximum expression, destroying Neal with ease. Neal gave it his all, but fell victim to a perfectly executed spinning elbow. A fight you must see.

Average Weight: Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Eric Nolan

Result: Susurkaev defeats Nolan by submission in the second round
Rating: B Susurkaev was close to paying dearly for his jokes, as Nolan hurt him at the end of the first round. However, Susurkaev reacted in the second, punishing Nolan with kicks and then taking the fight to the ground to submit him with a rear naked choke. What’s most impressive is that Susurkaev achieved this victory after winning a fight four days earlier on “Dana White’s Contender Series”.

Flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura

Result: Elliott defeats Asakura by submission in the second round
Rating: B Elliott showed he still has tricks up his sleeve, using his grappling to submit Asakura. Although Asakura had the advantage in speed and power, Elliott was crafty and seized his opportunities. A takedown in the first round set the tone and prevented Asakura from feeling comfortable with his striking. Elliott, 38, secured a takedown in the second round and locked in a guillotine.

Men’s Flyweight: Joseph Morales vs. Alibi Idiris

Result: Morales defeats Idiris by submission in the second round
Rating: B- Morales set the tone for the night by submitting Idiris, the favorite, in the final of the flyweight tournament of season 33 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Morales dominated Idiris with his wrestling and submission attempts, finishing with a triangle in the second round, ending Idiris’s undefeated record.

Lightweight: Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez

Result: Hernandez defeats Hooper by TKO in the first round
Rating: B- Hernandez surprised Hooper with a perfectly timed right counter. Hooper was careless and was the victim of a knockout in the first round. An unexpected ending.

Average Weight: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk

Result: Oleksiejczuk defeats Meerschaert by TKO in the first round
Rating: B- Oleksiejczuk showed a great improvement in his striking, outclassing Meerschaert. Oleksiejczuk repeatedly landed blows until Meerschaert fell to the canvas. Although it was an uneven fight, it was worth watching.

Lightweight: Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose

Result: Klose defeats Barboza by unanimous decision
Rating: C+ Barboza, despite a good start, was overwhelmed by Klose’s constant pressure, losing steam in the last round. The combination of Barboza’s age and Klose’s pressure made the difference.

Average Weight: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Result: Chimaev defeats Du Plessis by unanimous decision
Rating: C The main fight, although impressive due to Chimaev’s dominance in grappling, was less exciting in terms of action. Chimaev achieved a dominant victory, but the fight lacked drama at many moments.

Women’s Strawweight: Jessica Andrade vs. Loopy Godínez

Result: Godinez defeats Andrade by unanimous decision
Rating: C Godinez, with greater speed and precision, surpassed Andrade, who tried to overwhelm her with blows. Godinez took the most important victory of her career in the UFC.

Women’s Flyweight: Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa

Result: Silva defeats Barbosa by unanimous decision
Rating: C- Although the public considered that Barbosa deserved the victory, the judges ruled in favor of Silva, who took the victory by unanimous decision.

Average Weight: Jared Cannonier vs. Michael “Venom” Page

Michael Page, a la izquierda, ofreció su típica actuación fanfarrona contra Jared Cannonier, a la derecha, pero no fue un combate muy memorable.

Result: Page defeats Cannonier by unanimous decision
Rating: C- Cannonier couldn’t counter Page’s striking, which led to a slow fight. Although there were bright moments, the fight was not memorable. Page took the victory by unanimous decision.

Conclusion

In general, UFC 319 offered a night with exciting fights, saved by the spectacular knockouts of Prates and Murphy. Despite Chimaev’s dominance in the main event, the overall night was somewhat uneven.